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Climate-smart millets production and its value-addition: an economic documentation from India

University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, India

Abstract

Millets are climate-smart crops and they are sustainable solution for changing climatic conditions owing to their low water requirement, tolerance to fluctuating temperature, and gives assured yields. Millets are considered as ‘Nutri-Cereals’ whose consumption can help in alleviating malnutrition, reducing the risk of heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other modern lifestyle diseases. This study endeavoured with the aim of finding the profitability of selected millets Panicum sumatrense (Little millet), Setaria italica (Foxtail millet), and Paspalum scrobiculatum (Kodo millet) cultivation and their value-added products. The study was based in India with a sample size of 45 farmers who were cultivating millets and four women farmers who were involved in the value addition of millets for the agriculture year 2019-20. The results revealed that the total cost of cultivation per acre was Rs. 14,135.54 (184.72 USD) for little millet, Rs. 14,228.41 (185.94 USD) for foxtail millet and Rs. 15,339.77 (200.46 USD) for Kodo millet. The return per rupee of expenditure in small millets cultivation was found to be Rs. 1.31 (0.017 USD) in little millet, Rs. 1.20 (0.016 USD) in Kodo millet and Rs. 1.17 (0.015 USD) in foxtail millet. With respect to value-added products, the return per rupee of expenditure was higher in millet malt with Rs. 2.11 (0.028 USD) followed by foxtail millet papad (Rs. 1.64 / 0.021 USD), upma mix (Rs. 1.45 / 0.019 USD) and dosa mix (Rs. 1.40 / 0.018 USD). The return per rupee of expenditure in case of value-added products was quite high compared to the return per rupee of expenditure in small millets cultivation. This shows that in general, value addition in millets always helps in increasing farmers’ income significantly. The current research highlights the value addition of millets to enhance farmers’ income, tackle climate change, and ensure regional food and nutritional security. Thus, millets should be promoted for farmers’ benefits, consumers’ health, and climate resilient agriculture.

Keywords: Climate-smart millets, cost of production, return per rupee expenditure, value-added products

Contact Address: Nayana H N, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, 560065 Bengaluru, India, e-mail: nayanahnreddy1997gmail.com